Continued II

What seemed impossible, is now just a byline. The announced fee hike has been shelved. New Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) chief Rerngchai Prayoonvej has turned back the decision by his predecessor, so reports the Nation (1 Nov. 2012). 

No reason given, so just pure populist tactics?

The Thai Travel Weekly though adds:

'The decision is in response to a deluge of criticism from various travel industry associations'.

So ends another unneeded drama ...

Continued

And yes, it is continued.

On August 30 TTR weekly report 

'Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association is preparing to a letter to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation requesting a postponement of higher entrance fees at 29 national parks'. 

And then on the tenth of September: 

'Following complaints from tour operators, the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation decided to postpone admission fee increases at 29 popular national parks from 1 October to 1 Janaury 2013. 

... 

a reliable source at the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said another postponement might follow after further discussions.'. 

Possible relief ...

Same same? But not in entry fees

'Farang under waterfall'. 

From flickr member floschneekoenig

Your money's worth

Just thought I would warn you. Thailand's National Park Department has decided to raise entrance fees on 29 parks as of 1 October 2012. In the TTR Weekly there is a full overview of which parks and why the tariffs are up.

'The department claims the top national parks are suffering from too many tourists and the new fees will be a deterrent to help fight deterioration of a sensitive environment. Also the department says it will use the additional revenue to improve facilities to better serve tourists'.

Already complaints are mounting. And I have to agree. Despite the entrance fees, there's little to show. Visitor facilities are at best mediocre, trails extend at best 20 minutes by foot, anything beyond that is a jungle expedition and the staff tend to hang around a lot, hardly see them doing anything productive.

But yes some national parks are packed (witness Erawan waterfalls) but maybe putting a day limit on the amount of visitors might do wonders. Or help to develop alternatives.

To be continued? 

Dry and salt?

For those of you seeking even more info, here are two snippets of news.

The first concerns a travelfish entry on Phu Quoc, Vietnam Tranh stream, possibly the only (seasonal) waterfall on this otherwise dry island.

The other concerns a saltwater waterfall in Trang province, Thailand. Posted on the TTR Weekly it mentions that money will be thrown into creating visitor facilities for this rare waterfall.

'The downside is that the waterfall is only visible during the 14th to 15th full moon and first and second days of the waning moon from 0600 to 0800 and from 1700 to 1800'.

Hmmm, ....

Up the creek

Easily accessible from the most touristed stretch of the Khao Lak coast (Phang Nga, Thailand), it could be expected that Chong Fa would be nearly overrun or near ruined. However the opposite is true.

'Please do not entry to the waterfall'

The entrance gate (Chong Fa is part of the Lam Ru National Park) is half open or half close with a poster revealing that the park is somehow off-limits (photo above). A plus is that the park is (still?) open. Furthermore, no entry fees are required. And once again the access road is too difficult to take. There is a lone ranger, but he has his pitched his hammock up high and is wondering what his dreams will bring him.

From the entrance to the waterfall is a 1km long access road. From the road head it’s another 200m walk along a track to the first level, so no real strenuous hike, but a deliteful one nonetheless.

Getting there is a big part of the experience.

Chong Fa is a fabulous waterfall with lots of water crushing down into a deep and sunny pool. Downstream along the access road, are more swim holes, all deep and free flowing with great opportunities for a great dip.

It really is amazing, this piece of paradise so close to the paradise lost of Khao Lak.


There’s one website which has some more info on Khao Lak’s waterfalls (it mentions Chong Fa as having a steep (!) track to the first of five levels), but in general Khao Lak’s waterfalls are neglected and ignored, despite these being a great way to diversify the coast’s attractions, generate income and able to increase awareness of the globe’s natural surroundings, their fragility and the unique experience they offer. It contrasts with other places nearer Bangkok where waterfalls have become attraction parks, places of recreation.

But for me the tranquillity and (temporary?) absence of the great world is an opportunity to indulge in swimming, plunging and receiving a natural back massage.

Chong Fa, back massage please!